Anatole „Zsa-Zsa“ Korda, a businessman of enormous riches and questionable morals, has just survived his umpteenth assassination attempt. Inspired by this near-death experience, he decides to put his affairs in order and bequeaths his empire to his estranged daughter Liesl, a nun in training. Liesl is not particularly taken with this new turn in her life but nevertheless accompanies her father on a mission to Phoenicia, where they promptly become the target of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.
“The Phoenician Scheme” could be described as Wes Anderson’s attempt at a spy movie, delivered in his usual signature style of symmetrical compositions, vibrant colors, and dead-pan delivery of verbal delicacies. But a core difference separates this movie from his recent works: “The Phoenician Scheme” isn’t an ensemble piece. Instead, Anderson presents the viewer with a character-driven drama that is particularly focused on the delicate relationship between the gruff Zsa-Zsa and his daughter. Seeing the bond between them evolve alongside Zsa-Zsa’s own personality and moral compass gives the movie a distinct purpose and direction that I haven’t witnessed in Anderson’s work since “Isle of Dogs.” A delightful experience for fans of this director and lovers of absurd storytelling alike. (SaL)